Rise and Spread of Islam

Birth of Muhammad

570

Birthday of Prophet Muhammad, born in the Arabian city of Mecca.

Rise and Spread of Islam

Period: 570 to Jan 1, 1530

1st Revelation

Jan 1, 610

Secluded in prayer in the cave in which he liked to go and mediatate, archangel Gabriel appears before him, and commands Muhammad's body and recites verses which would then be the basis of Muhammad's desire to spread Islam.

Flight to Medina

Sep 24, 622

Muhammad completes his escape to medina, his departure from the persecution that forced him out, especially from the bedouin clan, the Umayyad's.

Muhammad's Triumph

Jan 1, 630

Muhammad battled his enemies and won in what he called a "Jihad", he would then command Mecca and destroy the idols that occupied the Ka'ba, and appointed that site a holy site and pilgrimage location. Along with that, he managed to convert all of Mecca and more.

Muhammad's Death

Jun 8, 632

Muhammad fell ill and passed away on June 8 632 A.C., in Medina.

Era of Rightly Guided Caliphs

Jul 1, 632

This era refers to the the first four caliphs that succeeded Muhammad. Beginning in 632 A.C. Abu Bakr, close friend of Muhammad, who fought Eastern Rome and he complied the verses of Muhammad of the Qur'an. (634-644 A.C.) Umar would then follow Abu Bakr and during his 10 year reign as caliph, he expanded Islam's reach over Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Palestine and Iran. (644-656 A.C.) Uthman extended realm + compilation of complete Qur'an. (656-661 A.C.) Ali fought rebels + pushed reforms.

Muslim Conquest of Persia

Jan 1, 633

Muslim Conquest Of Persia

Jan 1, 640

Muslims first invaded Mesopotamia in 633 A.C., but would later lose their holding to Sassanid counterattacks. The second invasion came in 636 A.C., where a vital victory led to the end of Persian control west of Iran. Caliph Umar ordered a full scale invasion of the empire in 642 A.C. The conquest concluded about 651 A.C., defeating the Sassanid empire.

Qur'an Compiled

Jan 1, 653

Uthman, the 3rd caliph of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, brought together the Qur'an that muslims belive to be the Qur'an see today. He ordered all other versions of the Qur'an to be destroyed, even including the one Muhammad's wife kept.

Emergence of Sunni + Shi'a

Jan 1, 656

Ali became 656 A.C., the last of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs. This caliphate would be passed on the the Umayyads who faced oppsition from a group labeled the Shi'a, following Ali's death by assassination in 661. In 680, Ali's son Husayn would be murdered along with his companions. This action would be a catalyst for the Shi'a opposition for a long time.

Umayyad Caliphate

Jan 1, 657

Clan of the bedouin Quraysh tribe, who initially opposed Islam, also the primary people who threated Muhammad. Converted muslims in 627 A.C., centered in Mecca. Muawiyah was the first Umayyad caliph following Ali. Damascus was the initial capital, using Persian and Byzantine policies of rule. Invaded Constantinople and North Africa. Introduced hereditary succession. Arabization and spread of islam occured. Decline began with defeat in battle to Byzantine empire. Mawali revolts helped decline.

Conquest of Spain

Jan 1, 711

A large force led by Tariq Ibn Ziyad, mostly composed of Africans and Berbers, defeated the Visigothic army at Guadalete in 712. The conquest continued north, in 712 southeastern Iberia captured with a signed agreement, which began of a trend of unresistent towns also submitted. By 717, the conquest haad crossed the Pyrenees onto Septimania + Provence.

Abbasid Caliphate

Jan 1, 750

Overthrew the Umayyaad dynasty, As-Saffah defeated the Umayyad's. The capital relocated to Baghdad. Adopted much of Persian politics. Successful until introduction of turkish slave soldiers which lead to multiple mercenary forces. Buyids entered Baghdad in 945, asked to be sole rulers of own terriitory, which began a trend of regional dynasties. In 1055, the Seljuk Turks overpowered the Abbbasids, but remained under the caliphate label. The dynasty fell in 1258 during a Mongol invasion.

Baghdad Becomes Capital of Abbasid Dynasty

Jan 1, 762

The 2nd Caliph, Al-Mansur of the Abbasid dynasty found this city north of the Persian capital, Ctesiphon, in 762 A.C. This located the Abbasids closer to Persia, which exhibited their growing dependence on Persian officials.

Crusaders Capture Jerusalem

Jul 14, 1099

Christian knights take Jerusalem after a seven week siege, then begin to massacre the Muslims and Jewish inhabitants. An Egyptian army challenged the Christians a couple of weeks later, them too being defeated. Muslim resistence would stop for a while, and during this time, five Christian states were established in the region.

Delhi Sultanate Established in India

Jan 1, 1206

A Muslim kingdom, controlling most of India, over the span of five dynasties. Ghurid Sultan Mu'izz al-Din Muhammad laid the foundation of this with a warring expansion into India. The Turkic dynasties Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaq and Sayyid all ruled, then followed by Afghan Lodi dynasty. The subcontinent was never united, but famous for repeling an invasion from the Mongol Empire.

Mongols sack Baghdad + End Abbasid Rule

Jan 1, 1257

1257, Mongke desired full control over Mesopotamia. He gave his brother Hulagu authority over an army to see to the full submission of the Abbasid empire, with military detachment. Hulagu was ordered to destroy Baghdad if the terms were not accepted by the Abbasid caliph. Al-Musta'sim thought he could defend Baghdad, his advisors supporting him, maybe even giving false information. An army of 150,000, with Christian forces included, began a siege that lasted a month and destroyed Baghdad.

Mansa Musa Pilgrimage to Mecca

Jan 1, 1324

Emperor of Mali Empire,1st Muslim ruler to make the expedition to mecca from West Africa. He took several years to prepare, he brung thousands of escorts and 13 tons of gold, most which was given away. he brought back Arab scholars and architects, which helped increase the education by adding mosques, libraries and universities. Made Timbuktu one of the leading Islamic cities at the time.

Ottoman Empire Conquers Constantinople + End of Byzantine Empire

May 29, 1453

Sultan Mehmed the Second fired on the great walls of Constantinople for weeks with his revolutionary cannons (April 6). After suffereing a defeat at Golden Horn gulf on April 9th, 1453, Mehmed launched an attack as his navy carried soldiers and surprised the East Romans on April 22. May 29 saw the final assault which saw victory for the Ottomans, becoming the stronger of the two empires.

Christian Reconquest of Spain+End of Muslim Spain

Jan 2, 1492

City of Granada was a Moorish fortress, the last city opposing the Spanish army. Granada surrenders, under rule of King Boabdil to Spanish forces to King Ferdinand V and Queen Isabella, thus ending Moor prominence in Spain.

Mughal Empire Established in India

Apr 15, 1526

Babur, the founder of the Moghul dynasty in India battles Ibrahim, the Lodi Suktan of the Delhi Sultanate, in which he's outnumbered 1/4, but his tactics of baiting then firing muskets and arrows, with cavelry flanking lead to victory at the plains of Panipat. He captures Delhi and Agra, continuing his conquest of north India for several more years, setting the foundation of the Moghal Empire.

Emergence of Sufism

Mar 2, 2022

Sufism's origins lie with Ali, the close friend of Muhammad. Sufism is said to be the internal dimension of Islam which is very mystical. The followers, Sufis are connecting with the Divine straight from their heart and love, attempting to find perfection of prayer.